MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. — A 17-year-old from Alexandria, Virginia, charged with attempting to kill a Florence Township police officer and assaulting two additional officers last year entered guilty pleas in Superior Court yesterday and will be sentenced as an adult, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw confirmed.
Under a plea agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office, Fasihullah Safar will serve an 18-year state prison sentence in exchange for guilty pleas to Attempted Murder (First Degree), Aggravated Assault (Second Degree), Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer (Third Degree), and Theft of a Motor Vehicle (Third Degree). Sentencing is scheduled for March 26 before the Honorable Aimee Belgard in Mount Holly.
The case was transferred from juvenile court after the Prosecutor’s Office filed a petition to waive Safar to adult status in September 2025, citing the severity of the attack and the risk to public safety.
The violent incident occurred on March 21, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m. While responding to a report of an overturned vehicle, a Florence Township patrol officer was struck deliberately by Safar’s vehicle multiple times. Following the collision, Safar’s vehicle became disabled on Route 130 near Station Road, where additional officers arrived to contain the situation. Safar then lunged at the responding officers with a knife, stabbing one officer multiple times in the chest. Thanks to a protective vest, the officer avoided life-threatening injuries. Two other officers sustained injuries, including facial cuts and lacerations, but were treated and released. Safar sustained only a minor cut to his finger caused by his own knife.
Investigators later determined that Safar had intentionally caused the initial vehicle collision that prompted the police response, further underscoring the premeditated nature of his actions.
During court proceedings, Safar disclosed that in the months prior to the attack, he had become involved with the Islamic State terrorist organization online and expressed intentions to join the group. He stated that his goal in targeting law enforcement was to promote terrorism and defend his religion. Safar admitted to shouting “Allahu akbar” during the altercation and acknowledged that his attack was motivated by extremist ideology.
Prosecutor Bradshaw condemned the act as “a senseless and cowardly act of violence” and emphasized that “violence driven by hatred or intolerance has no place in New Jersey and will be met with the full force of the law. The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office remains committed to protecting every resident from violent and extremist threats.”
The case was prosecuted by BCPO Assistant Prosecutor Courtney J. O’Brien, with the investigation led by Burlington County detectives and officers from the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and the Florence Township Police Department. Lead investigators included Detective Sgt. Shawn McDonough (BCPO), Detective Sgt. Lauren Laielli and Detective Daniel Connolly (NJOHSP), and Detective Matthew Nagle (FTPD).
Thomas Hauck, Director of NJOHSP, praised the collaboration, stating, “This investigation exemplifies the importance of strong coordination between county and state law enforcement. NJOHSP is proud to support the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and local partners in addressing terrorism-related threats and ensuring public safety across New Jersey.”
This high-profile case highlights the ongoing vigilance required to protect law enforcement and the public from ideologically motivated violence. For updates and continued coverage on law enforcement and public safety in the state, readers can explore our in-depth law and order reporting.
Safar’s sentencing will mark the next critical step in a case that shook the Florence Township community and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to holding violent offenders accountable, particularly when public safety and extremist motives intersect.
